melworth-hall.

Notwithstanding I am likely to see you so soon at Scarborough, yet I cannot forego the pleasure of informing you, that our party there will be enlarged by the pleasing addition of the Fitzallan family. They have been passing a few weeks at Matlock; their house being now ready for their reception, they came to it three days ago; and, yesterday morning, Louisa surprised me with her presence/here. – She came to request our company home with her, to spend the day; a request which Mrs. Horton and I readily complied with. In our way thither, I remarked, to Louisa, that she appeared more grave than usual; in return to which, she said, that her happiness was but half complete till the arrival of her father. This, I think very natural; but, entre nous, my dear Rhoda, I thought she appeared exceedingly disappointed at the absence of Sir Edward: nay, I may say, I am certain she was so; for Mrs. Horton made the same observation, and spoke of it to me afterwards. – This is a circumstance which does not, in the least, excite my wonder; since my partiality to my brother leads me to think it next to an impossibility, that an amiable young woman like our friend, whose affections are perfectly disengaged, should be, for the space of a fortnight, constantly in his company, and yet remain insensible to his merits – to his numerous attractions, both personal and mental. To you he is a stranger; but I flatter myself, that when you are acquainted with him, your opinion will coincide with/mine. At present, I am half tempted to wish he were less amiable – less agreeable; or, rather, that he had been absent from home when Louisa was here before; as the idea of her being attached to him fills me with much concern: not because such an alliance would not be highly pleasing to me, but because I fear that my brother's affections are too firmly fixed on the memory of his adored Matilda ever to admit of his making a second choice; and, therefore, I fear for the happiness of my friend.

– But I will not meet trouble, it is always swift enough in its approach.